Oil-shale eduction apparatus



C. H. O. BERG OIL'SHALE EDUCTION APPARATUS May 26, 1953 Filed June 1,1948

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WIG-J l.

May 26, 1953 c. H. o. BERG 2,640,019

OIL-SHALE EDUCTION APPARATUS Filed June l, 1948 u 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 26, 1953 QLsSilALfE; "EDUCTIQN APB-ARAMIS Clyde ii. lcito, Long Boschi. @olifossifior 'to Union @il-Company of Cailiiornia, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California commotion Julio 1, 194s, ySerial. No 30,423

(otono- 95).

6 Cla-imsin,voritifmv .reIotos toy a' process and appar-rotus for the continuous treatment. of. ccrboriooooiis ,solids for the recovery oi sas sod. liquid products -therefrom and in particular is directed to a Drocossond ooriarotusfor the recovery oi hydrocarbon gases, and liquids from such carborloceous solids as oilsholo, torA sand, diotoroito, various fotoos of coal .such os bituminous ood `stilo-.oituminous coals, and the like.

'ihc roost-cryy of hydrocarbon gososorid liquids iiom oii-besring or oit-@producing solids is Woll known, ond according to the orotiously proposed processes this recovery issonoroiiy accomplished bv subjecting the solidto sufficiently high tom- `lor-roturas to sopera-to tho oils ood sesos from vtho roinorol ina-ttor. Hohes@ oorivontionol processes have not'boon particularly satisfactory sviooo in serie-roi oonsidsrobls quantities oi hoot yoro roquired which .often loo.iosonoos the .ootiro Quantity of sas produced dorms tho @duction oroooss and sometimes considerable olootriooi oiiolgy es well. In ddditiori,` .o largo number or? tho oorivoo` tional processes are Auneiiole to treat cib-bearing or oil-producing, solids which `oro finely dividod thus requiring s considerable `ooxitoict timo to of foot an oductioo of appreciable quantities of cils sind gases from those nccossdr-ilr loros .solid particles l-.iiohor tempera-tutos .are also rorluirod in order Vto minimize "tho ioosthy oootaot time necessary ond os o result an undosirobly torso proportion of the eduotod oil orodiiood is thsrmolf ly decomposed destroying .o largo voroioort;iori of the higher molecular weightdnd highorsboilins substances.

The improved process oi the proscrit invontion comprises o procedure for trotting oils-looming solids lovfmooris of which most.. oi tho hoiotoioro objectionable -ieotoros of thor-.conventional oros.-

oro elimina-tod. ThoI .proscrit invention further comprises on improved, oooorotos for-tho treatment of oil-bearing or oiifproiuoing solids which is much improved over tho oonvontioriol apparatuses in its simplicity .of Constr-notion ood operation.

it is o. orimorv obioot' of tho orosoot invention to orovide on improved oroooss ,for the recovery of sosoous ood liquid products from oihhoorioc or oil-producing solids in which suoli products are recovered ct temperatures below those at which thermal. .oyrolysis occurs and under conditions oorioooivo to minimizing rimossi-roble dooompostiori of the liquid 'irootioo oi the products in portioirlor.

Another obioot of tho proscrit invontion .is to provide an improved process for the recovery of 2 hydrocsrbon gestos and liquids from oar solidsiii which oorbooooeoiis solids oi; tiolo sizo may bo eiointiy trootod.

An sdditiooalooioct of shoot-osent irivorrtioiiis to. provide o., process for tho recovery of ,socle oil and shale gases from oil shale, tho operation of which is substantially as sfoioot wooo oorioroiod on oil shales of high oil content as when periformed on shalosof low oil ooritont.

It is o furthor object or this iovootioo to. orovide .an improved proooss in which o ooosidoroolo improvement in tho recovery .of 1210.1' ally '11911151 hydrocarbon products rom the collo sasso sieotod, by the use oi olostio. meohoriiooi 'vitrotions.

Itis also on object of vthis invention lto.. provide a proooss forrooovoririg oils ood. ksesos .from sooo ss oil sholos in Whioli tho mioorol residuo is heated to fusion terrlporetturesy following ecoetiori ond in which. Slogf'gngmoy bo controllori, oy varying the oxygen. oonoeotiotion of tho roootoiit casos.

An additional object of tho present irivontioii is to provide an improved process which the ssh siossios problems arising during too trootiooiit of oil shales .containing relatively high Q11 09,11- tsnts and the osh dusting problems @rising dorins treatment of oil sholos oootoiriios roiotivolif low oil contents oro Hsiilostit.nii'illy oliniirioted through the use of .on improved msthoi of.. oglitatng the solids as hereinafter more fully clesoribed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide `om improved apparatus for the recovery of gaseous and liquid odiiotiori products irorri oarbonoooous solids suoli .as 0.11. Shelf* ooiititioios particles smaller than about 50 mesh.

`im additional obioot of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus-which is ooit larly vwell adopted-to the recovery of hydro mi, bon `corses and oils by tho-odiiotion of oii oholo. ood tho like. which heat is suooliod solely from the combustion of at leo-st .o port oi `tho bonaceous yspent shale remaining after `the f lrocsrbon oil and gases have beer; educted.

It is o further ,obioo-t of this iovoritioo to orovide ,on oooorotus tor .nii shoio oom-:tion `bt' means of which a. substantially complete recovery .of shale oils and gases be effected vfrom oil shades regardless of the oi] content of the oil .ocooos 1994" fiz- .shale feed..

other .objects and ,advantosos ofthe orosoiit invention will become ooooroiit to thoso slsillod in the art as the description iglieiieofv proceeds.

Briefly, the present invention comprises a, proc- "ing zone.I In this accumulation zone, which ess and apparatus for the recovery of gaseous and liquid products from oil-bearing or oil-producing solids. This process is particularly well adapted to treatment of oil shales. The carbonaceous solid is introduced into a hopper zone and is subsequently passed through a seal of liquid eduction product into a feeder zone substantially without the simultaneous introduction of air therewith. The solids are then passed upwardly through a treating zone containing an eduction Zone and a burning zone. In the eduction zone the oil shale is directly and countercurrently contacted with a hot eduction medium which effects the substantially complete eduction of gaseous and liquid products from the solid leaving a combustible carbonaceous residue. The carbonaceous residue is subsequently contacted with an oxygen-containing gas in the burning zone and a substantially complete combustion of the carbonaceous material is effected forming the hot eduction medium previously mentioned and leaving a carbon-free ash. The solids in the ash Zone and4 in theburning zone are continually agitated for purposes of facilitating .gas preheating, temperature control, and the elimination of diiiculties arising from ash slagging in the burning zone. The ashes are ldischarged from the upper portion of the treating zone.

The oxygen-containing gas is drawn downfwardly in counter-current contact with the ashes .and issubsequently introduced into the burning zone. 'I he hot eduction medium formed in the 'burning zone is drawn downwardly through the eduction zone. The gaseous and liquid productslof eduction and products of combustion `are disengaged from the upwardly moving bed of solids vand pass into an accumulation zone comprising a shell surrounding the lower portion of the treat- Acommunicates with the hopper zone previously described, the gases and liquids are separated and a level of liquid eduction products is maintained forming the seal mentioned above through which the oil-producing solids are introduced. Gaseous and liquid products formed in the treating zone may be withdrawn4 from the accumulation zone together, or they may be withdrawn as independent gas and liquid phases.

The process of this invention, as above briefly described, may be applied to the recovery of hydrocarbon gases and oils from oil shales and other oil-producingsolids, from tar sands, diatornite,

and other oil-containingsolids,from such other carbonaceous materials as bituminous coal. The

process of this invention may also be applied to:

the recovery of hydrocarbon oils and gases from carbonaceous solids such as coal in which an incomplete combustion of the carbonaceous resi- `due is performed for the production of coke 'which is removed from the upper portion of the treating zone mentioned above. If desired,

4the'apparatus of this invention may be operated under superatmospheric pressure under condi- `tions conducive to the reaction of oxygen," water vapor, and carbon dioxide with the car- "1"' bonaceous residue for the formation of sub- 'stantial quantities of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in addition to the hydrocarbon gaseous -and liquid products as described above. In this fied with the formation of a gaseous mixture which is well suitedto use as a feed stream in the well known catalytic processes. for carbon monoxide hydrogenation. 1,

7,0 modification the carbonaceous residue is gasi- -space I5.

The accompanying drawings are included to facilitate description of the process and apparatus of this invention and to show with clarity its mechanical construction and fully depict the precedures for its operation.

Figure 1 comprises a schematic flow diagram and vertical cross section of the apparatus involved in the process of thisinvention for the treatment of carbonaceous solids.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the upper portion of the vertical kiln in which the apparatus required for ash agitation is shown.

Figure 3 shows a vertical cross section of the ploWs employed to agitate the ashes present in the upper portion of the vertical kiln and by means of which a part of the heat generated in the burning zone may be removed and finely divided ash particles or fines may also be evacuated.

Figure 4 shows a cross section view of the plow showing the nature of/constructiom and Figure 5 shows a cross section of an elevation view of the plow more `clearly showing the construction developed sipation. l

Referring now more particularly to Figure 1, conical treating kiln I0 is shown with the larger diameter at the top. Kiln I0 is open at its upper end where ashes and other residues are removed. It is further provided with radial'fins 'I2 on the outside surfacev and with shell I3 extending around the outward edges of fins I2. An annular gas space I5 is thus provided between kiln IIl and shell I3 through which a gas such as air or other fluid medium may be circulated to facilitate cooling of the walls ofthe kiln and to maintain on the inner surface of kiln Ill a relatively cool layer of shale, at a temperature below about 400 F. Collar I4 is integrally attached to the upper end of kiln I0 and extends ldownwardly outside of shell I3 to reverse the flow of gases passing upwardly through Manifold I6 is further provided together with outlet II so that the coolinggases enter jacket I5 just above fiange II, pass up'- wardly between the radial ns through jacket I5, reverse direction at the upper end of jacket I5 below collar I4, and are collected in space I8 from which they are removed by means of manifold I6 and discharged through line I'I. Gases passing through jacket `I5 in the manner described preferably comprise atmospheric vair to permit ready heat dismoved by natural convection, :although forced convection may be employed, if desired. This is not necessary under normal operation in which oil shale is the oil-producing solid being treated. The warm gases thus produced leave line II at a temperature above about 250 F. and may be employed as preheated air to furnaces, for introduction into the kiln as an oxygen-containing gas to effect burning of carbonaceous materials therein, or other uses.

' Flange II faces directly upon flange I9 by means of which the upper structure of the apparatus is attached to the lower part of the 4structure. The lower part of the structure is, in the modification shown, essentially cylindrical except for hopper zone 20 lthrough which fresh oilbearing or oil-producing solids to be treated are introduced. Conical section 22 is provided with apertures ,22a to form disengaging zone E by means of which gases and liquids may be removed from the inside of treating kiln I0 into accumula'- tion zone 2| Conical section 22 is aligned on the same axis as treating kiln I0. Batlle 23 is positioned between accumulation zone 2l and hopper acne 2.0 and 'this'.bailie extends downwardly into a Yoody of .liquid maintained in the lower portion of accumulation zone 2i. A liquid seal is thus 4prmfidedl which permits passage of liquid below baffle 23 between accumulation .sone `3| and hopper zone but prevents the introduction of air or other gases `from hopper -zone 2u into kiln Hl along with the oil-bearing .solids to be treated. The presence of this iiquid seal is highly irnportant since the yformation of dangerous mixtures of air and hydrocarbon or other combustible gases is thus prevented.

Positioned immediately below hopper zone 20 and accumulation zone 2i is .solids feeder housing 2i, which `is filled with liquid products .fof educ-- tion, water or other. Within this zone is .submerged a mechanical feeding mechanism adapted tothe removal of Aoil-forming or oil-bearing solids from hopper zone 2li and the discharge of these solids upwardly `through conical section 22 and through the other zones of vertical treating zone lil as hereinafter more fully described. The particular apparatus which has been found well adapted to perform this continuous introduction of solids is shown in the drawing. This vertical acting solids feeder comprises cylinder 25 provided `.wdal'l piston 26 actuated, by hydraulic cylinder 2T. Guards 2.8 and 29 are further provided to seal the lower openings of conical section 22 and hopper zone 20 as cylinder 25 .oscillates back and forth from its kvertical position below conical section 22 to its angular position below hopper about trunnion lit. To eftect this oscillatory motion of cylinder 25 of the vertically acting feeder, hydraulic cylinder 3! is provided. The action of hydraulic cylinders 25 and 3l is synchronized hy pilot valves positioned adjacent to cylinders 27 and '3i and which actuate a master hydraulic cylinder, not shown, which in lturn controls the introduction and'removal of the hydraulic fluid with hydraulic cylinder 21 so that the following `sequence of events in the solids .feeder will occur:

'1. Hydraulic cylinder 3l rotates cylinder 25 about trunnicn 3l from the position shown to its angular position below hopper 2i) while guard 28 `seals the lower opening ci kiln lil.

2. Hydraulic cylinder 21 lou-ers piston 2E in cylinder 25 `leaving a free space in the upper pori.

kiln Hl whileguard 23 seals the lower opening of hopper 2i), and

e. Hydraulic cylinder .2l acting through connecting rod 32 forces piston 2t upwardly through cylinder 25 thereby injecting the solids upwardly through conical section 2.2 and displacing the remaining solids upwardly through kiln Hl, thus repeating the cycle.

This mechanical solids feeder is .more clearly described, illustrated and claimed in copending patent application Serial No. 7152.757 filed June 5, 1947.

The remainder of the description of the apparatus shown in this figure, Figure l, will be conducted as .a practical example in which the oil-bearing or oil-producing solid comprises oil which inaycontain as low es about 10 Vgallons of cil to as high as about 75 or 100 gallons of -oil per ton of fresh oil shale. The quantity of oil which may be produced .from a particular oil shale determines somewhat the mode of operar 6 vtion of *the kiln as hereinafter more fully described. 1

Oil'shale is continuously introduced by means of conduit 33 into hopper zone 20 wherein it is lsaturated with Vthe vliquid products of eduction maintained as a seal in the bottom thereof. By means of the mechanical feeder described above, the freshoil shale vis passed from hopper zone 20 .upwardlythrough the treating zone which comprises vertical kiln i0 and conical section 22 which `are positioned on the same vertical axis and communicates with one another. The fresh oil shale is passed upwardly through the treating zone successively through disengaging zone solids ,preheatingizone D, yeduction zone C, burning or combustion zone B, andash zone A. The ash `present in ashzone A and the burning inaterialin zone B is continuously agitated by means of .a rotary `agita-ting mechanism 34 hereinafter more fully described and displaced from the upper rmrfti-on of kiln lil from which they fall to impinge toward the upper surface of baille 35. Batlle '35 comprises the lower surface of agitator housing 36 which encloses `the entire upper portion of the apparatus and from the lower portion of whichconduit `3'! is provided. The slope of baiilei issufficient to cause the displaced ashes to `slide .freely through conduit 31 for introduction into any suitable-apparatus, not shown, for disposal or other use.

An oxygen-containing gas such as air, oxygenenrichedair, or flue gas containing excess oxygen and the like is introduced into agitator housing 36 by means lof line 38 controlled by valve 39. This may be heated air previously circulated through space I5. This vgas may be introduced under :pressure by means of `a blower, not i showny or inthe preferred modification is drawn downwardly through educticn kiln I@ by blower iii which evacuates gases accumulating in the upper portion of accumulation zone 2l. This method of operationgives rise tothe formation of a difterence in liquid levels 41 and 42 across baille 23 forming the seal previously mentioned through which 'oil shale maybe introduced Without contaminating the gases in accumulation zone 2l with air.

The oxygen-containing gassuch as air, passes downwardly through ash zone A in direct countercurrent contact thus cooling the ashes and preheating the air. The thus preheated air passes into burning zone `B in which the carbonaceous residue remaining following education of shale oil and gases in eduction zone C is burned. The ash passing upwardlythrough zone B to zone A issubstantially carbon free and the hot ilue formed `Ixirnprise het eductioa medium ywhich. directly down into educ- The het reduction medium .countercurrently contacts the upwardly oil shale, heating it to eduction temperatines of between 600 F. and it@o .therebyednoting.substantially all oi the shale nils and-shale .gases from the rich oil shale leaving a spent `shaleas a carbonaceous residue. In general, this oil and gas veduction takes `plinioat `temperatures, `between about 600 Pfand i366 temperatures which do not cause undue thermaldecomposition of the hydrocarbon and .other products educted from the oil shale. eseeducted liquids and gases pass downwardly from reduction zone C together with the cooled eduction'rnedimn, products of combustion, and entersaone D while therspent carbonaceous shale residue continues .upwardly into zone'B where the 7 burningof carbonaceous materials form addition-al quantities of the hot eduction medium.

The products of combustion and liquid and gaseous products of eduction pass downwardly through preheating zone D countercurrent to the upwardly rising oil shale. Since the gases and liquids contact the solids directly a highly eilicient interchange of heat is effected in which the gases are cooled and additional liquids are oondensed as well as subcooling the liquid products educted in zone C. In this direct contact the upwardly rising oil shale is preheated to temperatures as high as 300 F. to 500 F. at which temperature they enter eduction zone C.

The cooled gaseous and liquid products of combustion and eduction pass downwardly into disengaging zone E previously described which comprises a perforated conical section 22 adapted to the upfiow of oil shale and adapted to disengaging liquids and gases from the upwardly moving bed of solids. These liquids and gases pass for disengaging zone E directly into accumulation zone 2| establishing liquid level 4| therein and liquid level 42 in hopper 20. l

An important feature of the operation of the feeder mechanism in conjunction with conical section 22 is the fact that a continuous recirculation of fines is accomplished. These materials are the particles which are sufficiently small to drop through perforations 22a in conical section 22 into accumulation zone 2|. The smaller nes do not settle readily from the oil and are removed with it while the large particles settle and are recirculated with the feed. The oil shale is wet with liquid products of eduction and some of these fines are lifted upwardly therewith through the treating zone. The action of the vertical actingsolids feeder enhances the ability of the apparatus to treat oil shales containing an appreciable quantity of fines due to its vertical displacement of solids continuously in an upward direction. Those larger nes which tend to settle out of the treating zone and those which pass through perforations 22a into accumulation zone 2| and hopper zone and settle rapidly to the bottom thereof are reintroduced by the feeding mechanism upwardly through the treating zone with the next charge of shale passed from hopper zone 2D upwardly through conical section 22. Zone 2| may be provided with a conical or otherwise sloping bottom to enable the settling fines to progress toward the bottom of hopper 20 so they may be reintroduced with the feed.

The lower portion of accumulation zone 2| as well as the entire inner volume of housing 24 surrounding the feeder mechanism is lled with liquids which are preferably the liquid products of eduction. In this manner, the temperature of the lower portion of the apparatus is kept well below eduction temperatures, such as from about 1000,o F'. to about 300 F.

A partial separation of the gaseous and liquid products is effected in accumulation zone 2| and these separated phases may be withdrawn individually or together as desired. In one modification of the present invention reservoir 43 is provided which communicates with accumulation zone 2|. The liquid and gaseous products in accumulation zone 2| are drawn into the reservoir 43 by means of line 44 controlled by valve 45 under the influence of blower 40. In this modiiication the gas andliquid phase are removed from accumulation zone together. However, if ydesirable, the gas products may be drawn from accumulation zone 2| under the influence ofblower 40 by means'of line 46 controlled by valve 41 in which case the liquid products ow from accumulation zone 2| into reservoir 43 under their own iiuid head. In this latter modification line 48 connecting blower 40 with reservoir 43 is shut off by closing valve 49.

The liquid eduction products collect in reservoir 43 and establish a level approximately equal to that present in accumulation zone 2|. 'I'he liquid level in reservoir zone 43 is maintained by level control 63 which in turn controls the liquid level 4| in accumulation zone 2| since the two zones directly communicate with one another through line 44 or line 58 and lines `54 and 55. In order to remove accumulations of ne solids in accumulation zone 2| or within feeder zone housing 24. a portion of the liquid products are recirculated through these zones into reservoir 43 where they are allowed to separate as desired. Clear liquid products of eduction are removed from the upper part of reservoir zone 43 by means of line 50 and are pumped by means of pump 5| through line 52 controlled by valve 53 and divided into two portions, the first of which may be passed into the bottom oi.' accumulation zone 2| through line 54 controlled by valve 55 to assist normal fines removal previously described and the second of which enters the upper portion of feeder housing 24 by means of line 56 controlled by valve 51. The first portion of oil circulates upward through the body of liquid in accumulation zone 2| suspending fine particles which then iiow through line 44 for deposition in reservoir 43. 'I'he second portion of oil passes into feeder housing 24 and escapes therefrom through line 58 controlled by valve 59 .into reservoir zone 43. The fine solids settling in feeder housing 24 are directed to a point immediately below the oil entry point of line 5l by means of conical baille 60 and are thus swept out of housing 24 through line 58 and deposited in reservoir 43. f

The liquid products of eduction are continuously removed from reservoir 43 by means of line 6| controlled by automatic control valve 62 which in turn is actuated by liquid level controller 63. The rate of oil removal from reservoir 43 is equal to rate of oil eduction maintaining a dynamic fluid equilibrium in the system in which liquid level 4| is such that a seal is maintained across baiiie 23. The oil product thus formed is sent by means of line 6| to storage or further processing facilities not shown.

Under the influence of blower 40 gaseous products of eduction and of combustion are withdrawn from accumulation zone 2 In one modiiication, these gases may be subjected to the effects of sonic and ultrasonic mechanical vibrations to increase the degree of separation of no1'- mally liquid products from the gas phase. In this modification Valve 41 is closed and valve 49 is opened permitting the gases and liquids to flow simultaneously from accumulation zone 2| through line 44 controlled by valve 45 into accumulation zone 43. These gases and liquids enter reservoir zone 43 beneath baille 64 and must of necessity pass around the left end of this baffle 64 into vibration chamber 65. During passage of the gas products through vibration chamber 65 these gases are subjected to intense sonic and ultrasonic mechanical vibrations transmitted through the gas which are introduced into chamber 65 by sound generator 65. It is preferable that this sound generator be capable of generat- 1ng high intensity sonic or ultrasonic vibrations and allows deeper penetration of the plows into the combustion zone.

The process and apparatus of the present invention as shown in Figure 1 eliminates two of the principal operation difliculties which manifest themselves in oil shale retorting. The first of these is a condition characteristic of oil shales with relatively high oil contents, such as about 40 U. S. gallons per t0n and higher. This difficulty is one in which the carbon content of the spent shale is sufliciently high to generate an excess of heat during the carbon burn-off step in the formation of the hot eduction medium to cause incipient fusion of the shale ash. These slagging conditions are such to inhibit the free flow of oxygen-containing gas downwardly through the burning zone. The second difnculty encountered in processes involving burning the carbonaceous shale residue is one peculiar to oilshales containing relatively low oil contents, that is, less than about 30 U. S. gallons per ton. This condition involves the excessive formation of dust from ashes produced in the burning zone. This dust is easily suspended in the gas flow and tends to smother or otherwise inhibit the free burning of the carbonaceous residue in the burning zone below. These difficulties have been substantially eliminated by the apparatus shown in cross section in the upper portion of the treating zone shown and previously described in Figure 1 This u apparatus subjects the ash in ash zone A and particularly the burning residue in burning zone B to moderate agitation by the action of rotary plows extending downwardly into the bed. These plows rotate about the center vertical axis of the kiln. The effect of this agitation is to prevent slagging conditions in the burning zone B from inhibiting free gas flow through the system when rich oil shales and the like are treated. The plows are further adapted to remove a portion of the heat from burning zone B which increases the control maintained over the position of the burning zone by preventing it from rising to the top of the bed. This effect is achieved since the solids are maintained in an agitated condition and a free flow of oxygen-containing gas downwardly therethrough is insured. For processing domestic oil shales, slagging conditions are encountered between about 2,000 F. and about 3,000 F., depending upon the mineral constitution of the material. In this type of operation the burning zone is maintained between a transverse plane above the lower extremities of the plows and a transverse plane approximately at the position of thermocouples 16 and 18. This lower extremity is somewhat variable since the control temperatures of temperature recorder controller and 11 may be varied.

In another modification, thermocouples 16 and 18 may actuate controllers to vary the rate of oxygen-containing gas and steam introduction to control the burning zone position and its temperature.

The rotary plow mechanism is further provided with a conduit which is operated under a pressure less than that existing within the apparatus and consequently a ilow of gas from the bed of ashes in ash zone A into the aforementioned conduit occurs permitting the removal of a substantial proportion of iine ashes which are detrimental to the maintenance of smooth burning conditions in burning zone B.

Thus, the combination apparatus shown in Figure 1 is well adapted to the efficient recovery of gaseous and liquid products of eduction and to thesmooth control of the eduction process regardless of the oil content of the oil-bearing or oil-producing solids which are employed.

The mechanism for agitating the solids ln ash zone A and combustion zone B is shown as rotary agitating mechanism 34. This mechanism is provided with a system of cross arms 8| to which are attached plows 82 extending downwardly through ash zone A. Plows 82 are hollow and provided with means for the circulation of a heat transfer medium. Plows 82 are further provided at their lower extremities with abrasion resistance and heat resistant tips of alloy steel, carbide, or other material. Cross arm 8| is integrally attached to shaft 83 by means of which the rotary motion is transmitted from a suitable driving means not shown. Shaft 83 is hollow and connected with the conduit previously described in plows 82 by means of which dust particles are withdrawn from ash zone A. This suspension of particles passes upwardly through the conduit into cross arm 8|, upwardly through shaft 83, through rotary coupling 84, and through line 85 controlled by valve 86, and is introduced by means of blower 81 through line 88 controlled by valve 89 to centrifugal separator 90 wherein suspended fine ash particles are separated. The separated ash fines pass via line 9| controlled by valve 92 to be combined with ash fines separated continuously from an especially designed case in blower 81 via line 93 controlled by valve 94. These ashes are disposed of together with ashes removed via conduit 31 from chamber 36 previously described. The gas, freed of suspended ash iines, is removed from separator via line 95 and are disposed of, if desired, or recirculated into chamber 36 with incoming oxygen-containing gas through line 38 controlled by valve 39.

During the operation in which ash slagging problems exist it is generally unnecessary to operate the evacuating system just described since the evacuating system provides means for ash dust removal. Such dust is in most cases only formed at lower temperatures with lean shales or other solids when slagging is not often encountered. In this case, valve 86 may, if desired, be closed and flue gas or air or steam or other gas may be introduced via line 96 controlled by valve 91 to flow in the reverse direction through the evacuating system described above. These gases, therefore, pass downwardly through shaft 83 and enter the burning zone directly through the openings provided in plows 82. This reversal of gas ilow serves to introduce cool oxygen-containing gas directly into the burning zone, to control the position of the burning zone, and prevent undue Y heating of the evacuation conduit.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 2. a plan View of the ash agitating mechanism is shown. In this gure kiln shell |00 is shown provided with radial cooling ns IUI as well as jacket |02 providing open vertical channels for cooling gas ow described above. Shaft |03 is indicated to which are attached cross arms |14, |05 and |86 which support the plows for agitation of the solids. To each of the aforementoned cross arms. two plows are attached in this modification of apparatus. The assembly rotates in counterclockwise direction, although the direction of rotation is not critical, continuously agitating the solids.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 3, a vertical cross section of the plow assembly is shown in which the means for cooling and the means for evacuating ash nes are clearly shown.

aecomo The lower portion of the plow consists of outer cylinder H provided with an inner concentric cylinder i H ofsmaller diameter extendingnearly to the lower extremity of cylinder H0. The lowerl extremity of the plow is` provided with a heat and abrasion resistant point 25 which is in.- tegrally attached to outer cylinder H0 and also thelower extremity of conduit i i4. intersecting at an angle with outer cylinder H0 is vertical cylinder l. i L' which is integrally attached to leading edge of cross arm H3. Cross arm Il?, comprises a header for the evacuation conduits l lllV attached to the plows described above. This intercommunicates directly with evacuation con duit H4 which is integrally attached to thotrailing side of the plow member proper. Conduit H4. is provided with a series of apertures which in; this modification are slots HS and H6 through which gases are drawn from the ash bed to assist in removing ash nes therefrom. The cross sectional view showing the relative position of cylinder H0, cylinder IH- and conduit H4 is shown in Figure Ll wherein these parts' are designated with the same numbers.

Inner cylinder ill communicates directly with cylinder IH and header H8 and Vertical cylinder H2- communicates with cylindrical header H9. Headers H0 and IIS` are p-arallel and ex-l tend at right angles from cylinder H2. A pair of parallel spaced plates 120 and li are integrally attached to tubes H8 and HSas is more clearly shown in' Figure 5 in which` like members are designated with the samenumbers thusv forming a radiation chamber. Of plates mi and titl as shown three as normally viewedV are closed formingv a closed system through which a heat transfer medium may be circulated". This transfer medium flows throughv cylinderl H81 into cylinder H7, through inner cylinder H i, downwardly into the plow, upwardly through annular space |22l between cylinders till and i-H wherein thev heat transfer medium is indirectly heated, upwardly through cylinder |12 and' into cylinder H 9, andl subsequentlyy downwardly between plates lillv and I2I through the radiation chamber wherein the. heat transfer mediumv loses asub-- stantialportion of its heat by convection and conduction and predominantly byradlation tothe plate i213 between outer cylinder H0' andl vertical cylinder |I2. Plate 24 is provided between cross arm H3 and cylinder H8- to impart rigidity to the structure and also to impart to the ashes aradial motion wherein they are spilledV over thev upper edge of the eduction kiln. The angle between the Vertical plane of plates |20 and IZI with respect to the cross arm and with the plow is clearly shown iny the plan View of Figure 2 where it may be seen that through a counterclockwise rotation of theash agitation system ashesl may be given a radial motion' andA progressively moved across the top of the as-hrbedto` the edge of kiln 100 shown in Figure 2. By this method the-level of ashes is maintained and the-v depth of the ash bed is kept constant thereby maintaining an even distribution of flow of oxygen-containinggas downwardly through the ash zone into burning zone` B. This contributes to stable operation and uniformity` of burning.

The heat transfer medium employed in this system is preferably one which will withstand temperatures in the range of from 1,00i)Y F; to 2,000 F'. while molten without exerting substantial Vapor pressures or without decomposing'. Materials which satisfy these requirements include fusible metals such as metal alloys principally',4

and pure metals notably the alkali metals. It is preferable toemploy such metals as sodium or potassium since these rnetais have particularly broad ranges between melting point and boiling point. Sodium has been found particularlyv well adapted'to this service of dissipati-ng heat from the lower portion or the plow by radiation from the radiated surfaces, plates i2il and |2 shown in Figures 3 and 5, positioned at the upperpart of the radiating mechanism. In lower temperature service such as in other applications than the ones shown, other fluids such as molten alloys of bismuth, tin, lead, zinc, antimony andthe like maybe used. Molten salts such as eutectic mixtures having they requisite melting point may sbeused'.

- As an example of ltypicalA operation of the iin-- proved` apparatus according to this invention1w the following data are given:

y Example I The apparatus had a` capacity of 1.75 tons. of crushed shale per day. The oil shale was. obtained from the Parachute Creek District of Garfield County, Colorado. The shale was introduced at arate of 103.5 pounds per hour through the oil seal, which had a temperature of about 120 F. A total quantityof 587.3 pounds of shale was fed during the run and from this material. was obtained 100.7 pounds oi" shale oil` and 34211 pounds of ashes. The remaining material was produced as gas.

The shale passed intothe kiln at a temperature of D' F. andthe oily and gasses were educted at temperatures below' 850 F. The maximum temperature in the burning zone was 2250 F. and the ash was removed from the. kiln at 600 F. after preheating incoming air.

The ash agitating mechanism was` rotated at` The gas circulating through the. kiln jacket was Vented to the atmosphere at a temperature. oi about :275 F. to 285: during the run.

Air was introduced through tlie evacuation conduit directly into the kiln toV aid cooling,v of' the plows.

Example II 'TheV apparatus above described was appliedto the ccking` of bituminous coal'. The coal contained 79% carbon and was introduced at a, rate of 1.6?- tons per day or 136` pounds per hour. Con,-

trolled quantities of air were introduced limiting.

the maximumtemperature to about, 1300"' F'. The` coke yield was 1.22* tons per day or 102 pozmds.

per heu-r.- fI'hetar-yeld was about 20:4 gallons lll per day and about 95 cubic feet per hour of gas was produced which had a heating value of about 575 B. t. u. The operation was smooth and easily controlled in all respects and the coke produced was of high quality.

Example III A coke, analyzing about 95% carbon, was introduced into the apparatus for gas production at a rate of 0.96 ton per day, 80 pounds per hour. A mixture of air and 44 pounds of steam per hour was introduced, the quantity of air added being controlled to maintain a gasification temperature of between 1900 F. and 200W-F. It was found that the gasification zone or combustion zone was easily maintained at its desired position. A producer gas containing about 8% carbon dioxide, 24% carbon monoxide, 9% hydrogen, and nitrogen was obtained at a rate of about '750 standard cubic feet per hour.

Ihe process of this invention may be quite widely varied. The hydraulic drive of the positive solids feeder shown in Figure 1 may be altered to be driven with gears so that the reciprocating motion of the piston is coordinated with the oscillatory motion of the cylinder. It is preferred, however, to employ the hydraulic driving means shown. In such operations with moving cylinders, it is convenient to provide for the motion of the liquid in which the cylinders operate. This may be accomplished by a by-pass line between accumulation zone 2| and feeder Zone 24, such as by lines 54 and 56 controlled by valves 55 and 5l.

The process and apparatus of this invention as previously mentioned is principally directed toward the recovery of hydrocarbon gases and liquids from oil-producing and oil-containing solids. The process and apparatus has been particularly successful in the treatment of oil shales wherein a carbonaceous residue remains in the form of spent shale which is burned to supply heat for the process. In some instances, however, there may be insuflicient carbon present in this residue to provide heat requirements for eduction. In this case heat may be supplied from an external source by burning a portion of the educted gases or even by supplying fuel gas from separate sources. In generah however, this is not necessary since with most shales treated, such as those from Colorado containing from as low as 20 to as high as 70 U. S. gallons per ton of oil, the amount of carbonaceous residue was sufiicient to supply the required heat.

It is sometimes desirable to directly contact the ashes present in ash zone A of Figure 1 with either water or steam which is introduced with the oxygen containing gas. The introduction of steam serves principally to supplement the volume of hot eduction medium employed in educting gases and liquids from the solids. The introduction of water in direct contact with hot ashes serves also to provide quantities of steam in addition to removing a substantial proportion of the sensible heat of ashes discharged.

The term eduction as employed in this specification is intended to include any means of treatment of oil-bearing or oil-containing solids including coals whereby oil is obtained therefrom.

In the practice of this invention the solid to be treated is preferably crushed to particle sizes between about 0.5 and 1.5 inches, although larger particles may be treated. It is characteristic of the apparatus of this invention that particles of 116 quite small dimensions may be efliciently treatedsimultaneously with the larger particles. Solids nes as small yas about 50 mesh and smaller may be handled.

The process and apparatus of this invention may beapplied to the recovery of oil from other oil-bearing or oil-producing solids besides oil shale including various types of coal, tar sand, oil soaked diatomite, and the like. It may also be applied to the coking of coals, lignite, and similar materials. The process and apparatus is further adaptable substantially as described to the gasification of carbonaceous oil-bearing or oilproducing solids including coal, spent oil shale, tar sand, coke, cellulose-like materials such as peat, agricultural by-products such as corn husks, bagasse, and the like. The simultaneous eduction of oils and gas and gasification of the carbonaceous residue to form fuel or synthesis gas is also within the broad aspect of this invention.

A particular embodiment 0f the present invention has been hereinabove described in considerable detail by way of illustration. It should be understood that various other modications and adaptations thereof may be made by those skilled in this particular art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for the recovery of oils and gases from oil-bearing solids which comprises a vertical treating kiln, a vertically acting reciprocating feeder and an accumulation chamber communicating with said treating kiln, means for drawing gases downwardly through said kiln, means for removing solids from the upper extremity of said kiln, and mechanical means comprising a scraper section for moving ashes from the tcp of said kiln into said removal means, a plow section extending below said scraper section deep into the kiln' for continuously agitating the solids in the upper portion of said kiln to provide a substantially unimpeded gas flow therethrough, and a radiation cooling section extending above said scraper section, said plow section extending below the level of solids in said kiln, said scraper section extending at least partially below said solids level, and said radiation section extending entirely above said solids level.

2. An apparatus according to claim l wherein said mechanical means comprises a rotating vertical shaft integrally attached to a plurality of horizontal cross arms, said cross arms supporting a series of hollow plows extending downwardly at an angle from said cross arms to engage and agitate the solids in said kiln.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said plows are hollow and contain a concentric tube, the two conduits thus formed communieating with a hollow radiation chamber to form a closed system, and a fusible metal in said closed system capable of withstanding temperatures in the range of about 1000 F. to 2000o F. while molten without exerting a substantial vapor pressure. I

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said closed system is filled with metallic sodium molten under temperatures of operation and is adapted to allowing ready natural thermal circulation of said sodium through the conduits Within said plow and said radiation chamber whereby heat is transferred from said solids.

5. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said mechanical means for continuously agitating said solids is provided with an evacuation conduit on the trailing edge of said ploWs, said evacuation conduit having an axis parallel to that of said plow, said conduit further being prom vided with perforations through which gases may pass from contact with said solids, said evacuation conduit communicating with said hollow cross arms, said cross arms communicating with a hollow drive shaft, means for evaouating gases through said conduit to suspend and remove fine solid particles formed during agitation.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the plow section and the radiation section are both hollow and intercommunioating and are filled with a material which is liquid at the tem perature of operation.

CLYDE H. O. BERG.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Dundas et al Oct. 2, 192.v Davis Nov. 16, 1926 Davis et a1 Nov. 16, 1926 Carr Jan. 15, 1929 Schilling et al June ll, 1929 Carr et al Feb. 24, 1931 Parker Aug. 15, 1933 Smith Mar. 2, 1937 Hanawalt Apr. 15, 1941 Amy Nov. 3, 1942 Tuttle Dec. 5, 1944 Tuttle Sept. 2, 1947 Berg Mar. 21, 1950 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR THE RECOVERY OF OILS AND GASES FROM OIL-BEARING SOLIDS WHICH COMPRISES A VERTICAL TREATING KILN, A VERTICALLY ACTING RECIPROCATING FEEDER AND AN ACCUMULATION CHAMBER COMMUNICATING WITH SAID TREATING KILN, MEANS FOR DRAWING GASES DOWNWARDLY THROUGH SAID KILN, MEANS FOR REMOVING SOLIDS FROM THE UPPER EXTREMITY OF SAID KILN, AND MECHANICAL MEANS COMPRISING A SCRAPER SECTION FOR MOVING ASHES FROM THE TOP OF SAID KILN INTO SAID REMOVAL MEANS, A PLOW SECTION EXTENDING BELOW SAID SCRAPER SECTION DEEP INTO THE KILN FOR CONTINUOUSLY AGITATING THE SOLIDS IN THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID KILN TO PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIALLY UNIMPEDED GAS FLOW THERETHROUGH, AND A RADIATION COOLING SECTION EXTENDING ABOVE SAID SCRAPER SECTION, SAID PLOW SECTION EXTENDING BELOW THE LEVEL OF SOLIDS IN SAID KILN, SAID SCRAPER SECTION EXTENDING AT LEAST PARTIALLY BELOW SAID SOLIDS LEVEL, AND SAID RADIATION SECTION EXTENDING ENTIRELY ABOVE SAID SOLIDS LEVEL. 